Tab-cutting machine for index-card guides.



l. WAGEMAKER. TAB cunmc MACHINE Foa INDEX CARD sumas.

APPLICATION FILED`SEPT. 7. 1917. 1,297,759, Patented Mar. 18,1919.

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9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Mar. 8, 1919.

IQWAGEMAKER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 7 19|?.

TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX GARD GUIDES.

MCE/0 @make/f lig/777mg@ me 'wams sus c I. WAGENIAKER.

TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX CARD GUIDES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, I. |911.

1,297,759. Patented Mm'. 18,1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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I. WAGEMAKER.

TABIJUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX CARD GUIDES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7. 1917.

1,297,759 Patented Mar. 18, 1.919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4A TAB i. WAGEMAKERQ cumNG MAcHsNE Foa INDEX CARD GUIDES.

)atentod Mar. 18, 15H9.

l9 SHEETS-SHEE 5.-

APPLICATIN .FILED SEPT. 7, 19|?.

l. WAGEMAKER.

TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR |NDEx C-AHD GUlDEs.

APPLICATION FILEDv SEPT 7. 191 l.

Patented Mar. 18, 19121.

9 SHEETS-SHEET '6- l. WAGEMAKER.

TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX C ARD GUIDES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, I, ISI I.

1,297,759). Patcnted Mar. 18, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET :7.

Inge/773% YII wAGEII/IAKER.

1 TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX CARD GUIDES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 1. 1911. 1,297,?59.

l. WAGEIVIAKER.

TAB CUTTING MACHINE FOR INDEX CARD GUIDES.

' APPL|CAT|0N F|LED SEPT, 7| 1911. 1,297,759. Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

i' STAns TAB-CUTTING MACHINE non. INDEX-CARD crUIDns.

Original application led October 25, 1915, Serial No. 57,742.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

(Patent No. 1,245,645, dated November 6,

1917.) Divided and this application filed September 7, 1917. Serial No. 190,235.

. T all whom t may concern cards of the same kind,

Be it known that I, IsAAc WAGEMAKER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State .of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvementsv in Tab-Cutting Machines for IndeX- Card Guides; and I do hereby declare the follow* ing to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a mechanism by meanls of which guide cards for filing indeXes may be automatically cut and stacked with projecting tabs formed at the upper edges of said guide cards which are located in different positions with respect to the bodies of the cards so as to be positioned in staggered relation behind each other. The present invention is a division of my previous application Ser. No. 57,742 filed Oct. 25, 1915 which has resulted in Patent No. 1,245,645, issued November 6, 1917. It is desirable at many times to make guide cards for use with card indexes without printing thereon, 'the indicating character or Word applicable to any such guide cards being attached in some other manner than by directly printing upon the projecting Furthermore, guide cards of this character are lused without indicating characters of any type associated therewith. Previously it has been necessary in the manufacture of packs of indeX cards to cut a number of 'that is with the tab projecting at a certain portion or part vof the upper edge of the card, and after this operation has been completed with respect to all of the various different cards neces- |sary to make a complete pack, the cards are sorted and gathered together in proper relation to each other so that a plurality of complete tile packs are obtained having tabs projecting therefrom at the upper edges of the cards and located in staggered relation one behind the other. While packs of index cards have been manufactured to a large extent in this manner, it is obvious that the process is long and comparatively costly and that it is practically necessary to have on hand a large stock of all of the many kinds of index card guides used at all times Yfrom which to fill orders.

It is an object land p-urpose'of my invention to provide a mechanism into which a plurality of plain cards of rectangular outline may be fed which, during the course of their progress through the mechanism, are cut to leave a projecting 'tab at one edge, each card Vbeing cut differently from the cards preceding or following, such that when -passed from the mechanism a plurality of c ards having projecting tabs cut and positioned 1n Iproper relation to each other may be obtained, the pack of guide cards being complete and associated together ready for insertion into any proper filing receptacle. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of mechanism for successively cutting the tabs on successive cards so that when delivered `from the machine they are located in *stacked relation one behind the other. Still further obj ects of the invention consist in novel mechanism for periodically feeding the uncut cards to the machine; in the provision of novel regulator and card stopping devicesY for regulating the position of each card and holding it in said position during the operation of cutting the same; and in the provision of many new and useful features of adjustment for the machine, whereby it may be utilized to cut index cards of widely varying sizes with varying widths of index tabs, withy different numbers of tabs in the length of a cardV in stacked relation and with 'the vtabs located at any desired position on the different cards with respect to the complete packs of cards.

For the attainment of these ends as Well as many others that have not been specifically stated but which will appear as the description progresses, I have embodied my invention in a mechanism fully described in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cutting and `delivering 4portion of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 from the opposite side of the machine, andY also showing, at one end, a fragment of the feeding mechanism which periodically feeds the cards into the machine.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of saidl feeding mechanism.

Figs. 5 and 6 are, respectively, front and side elevations thereof.

a detail of the feeder mechanism.

vposite camicontrolling the operation 0f said l,'mechanism..

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the immediate lcutting `mechanism for cutting tabs on the cards.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof, the supporting frame being shown in vertical section.

Fig. .10 shows a plan `and a front and end elevation of the lower cutting knives of the mechanism. Y

Fig. 11 shows, similarly, the upper cutting knives.,

Figi 12 .isa vperspective viewillustrating theregulating and stop mechanism lfor properly positioning ,the cards for cutting.

Fig. .13 yis a perspective view of a com- Fig... 14` .is an end elevation, with parts shown in section, l.of e the stop mechanism.

Fig. 15.' isaside elevation illustrating the construction ,of one ofthe plurality of stop members used .with lsaid stop mechanism.

F ig.I 16. illustrates` ,in perspective the mechanism k'used A for` operating thev feeding device, and1 also. the mechanism for` automati'cally'rendering said feeding device inoperative under Vcertain tworking .conditions of 'the mechanism.,

Fig. 17is a plan view, enlarged and partly in sectiomshowing therconstru-ctive detail through which said feeding device x.is rendered` inoperative. y

Fig.' 1 8A .is a plan vview ofthe. timing disk and ratchet A wheels associated therewith.

Fig.` 19 a vertical'section taken substantially-fon the 'line19g--19V of Fig. 18, and showing also the operating mechanism for actuating the ratchetyvheels.

20 is a plan viewof oneof the press suree devicesunderneath which the cards pass in the movements thronghthe machine.l

' tal beamsv 5 and 6'are provided belowbeams Fig. 21isa side elevation. n

Fig'. 22 is an end elevation thereof partly in section, and v Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing in usezpart of a packof guide cards asthey are formedby my machine,

Like` reference, characters refer to like.

parts inthe. various views of, thedrawings..

The operatingy mechanism of the machine is carriedion ya suitablesupporting structure including vertical postsl, located at the corners of said structure. which is rectangular in outline. The posts at onesidepf the; frame areconnected at their upper ends bv a horizontal beam 2, while the .posts at the opposite side areE c onnectedvby, an upperhorizontal beam ,3, transverse cross beams 4 connecting the upper'ends ofthe posts attheends of said horizontal beams.A Additional horizon- 2 and 3 respectively and` areconnected to the posts l to'bracey the same and serve as supports for various parts of the mechanism.

A The lmechanism as Wholeis driven by a 10. A sprocket wheel 11 is secured tothe shaft- 7 driving an endless sprocket chain 12 which passes around a sprocket wheel 13 secured at one end of a shaft 14, which is supported for rotation by brackets 15 and 16 secured to .e

the endposts 1 at the front end of the cutting section of the machine. A sprocket wheel 17 is fixed on shaft 14. anddrives a sprocket chain 18 which 'passes around a sprocket wheel 19 attached to a shaft20, lo-

cated substantially directly underneath theV27 shaft 14 and supported by brackets .connected to the frame of the machine. A wheel 21 is secured to Vwhat may be termed the front end of shaft 20, an endless belt 22 passing around said wheel. `A table 23- is rigidly connected to and proj ectsin front ofthe supporting frame, the belt 22. leading from the wheel 21 of a pulley 24 at the front end of t-hetable, thence passing the full length of the table and around a pulley 25 fixed on a short shaft 26 supported by brackets 27 at the rear end .ofthe table, passing therefrom under the table and around an idle'pulley 28 carried at one end of a link 29 which in turn Vis pivotally mounted on a bracket .30 .at-

tached to the under side 'of the. tai-ble,` and thence forward around an idle pulley 31, rotatably `mounted. on thev lower end of a bracket 32 depending. from thetable, said,

therefrom above and lengthwise of the table and around a pulley on the shaft 26, thence under. the table over an idle pulley 36 which is supported underneath the table, and there- I from under a pulley? carried at the end ,of i a link 38 pivotally depending from a bracket 39 which is connected vto theunder side of the table. It evident that proper tension is given( to the belt through link 38 and pulley?.

Arnumber of upstanding supports 40 are secured tothe frame of the machine a short` distance back ofthe table 23, serving to carry a rod 41 positioned horizontally. and located above the belt 22. Atia large nun'iber of spaced apart positions in thelength of the rod 41 pairs of .clips 42 are located and adjustably iiXed to the rod by means of pins 43 and thumb nuts 44, each pin at oneend be-V Y o ing secured tolone of the clips 42 of eachpair of clips and passing through the other, its

freezendreceiving the thumb nut., A rod 45l is fixed to one of the clips 42 of each pair; passing through the other toward the front of the machine, and on each of said rods an arm 46 is loosely mounted. A collar 47, provided with notches 48 in its outer face, is located adjacent the forward end of each rod, in which notches the endsI of a pin 49, passing through the rod 45, seat. A coil spring 50 is interposed between each arm 46 and collar 47 serving to force the collar toward the pin 49. Also this spring may be wound by pressing the collar away from the pin so as to increase the tension thereof, and as the ends of the spring are connected to both the collar and the arm, the torsional effect of the spring is to force its connected arm, at its free end, in a downward direction. A bar 5l is pivotally mounted between its ends to the free end of each arm 46 and carries at each end short shafts on which rollers 52 are mounted. These rollers, preferabl have rubber surfaces and are forced by the tension of springs 50 against the belt 22. Cards entered at the front end of the table on to the belt 22 are carried with the belt when no obstruction is offered to their travel, the rollers 52 pressing the cards against the belt, but the pressure of the rollers is not great enough that injury occurs to a card if it is stopped at any point in its travel along the belt. The belt 33 is of use when wide cards are passed through the machine, it traveling with the same speed as the belt 22. The outer edges of the wider cards rest on belt 33 causing said cards to be carried better and more uniformly than if the single belt 22 was used.

vThe feeding mechanism by which the cards are periodically fed into the cutting section 'of the machine is located at the front end of said cutting section. In the construction of the feeding mechanism a horizontal base plate 53 is provided and supported at proper height, so that its upper side is in substantially the same horizontal plane with the upper side of the table 23,by posts 54 which are connected and braced by suitable cross members 55. Side members 56 and 57 are secured at the side edges of the base 53, adjacent the front end of the table 23, projecting upwardly from said base in which members the ends of upper and lower shafts 58 are rotatably mounted. Short rollers 59 are Xed on shafts 58, being positioned in contact with each other in pairs as best shown in Fig. 5. A plurality of small pinions 60 are secured to shafts 14 and 58 in driving engagement with each other, driving` the shafts 58 and turning theV rollers so that any card passed to the rollers from in front is gripped and run therethrough, being delivered to the belt 22. rlhe pressure of the upper rollers against the lower rollers is regulated by set screws 61 which bear against the bearings for the upcards which pass underneath its lower end` from the base 53 on which they rest. Also the inclination of the plate 63 may be changed by loosening the thumb nut 63a, pins passing from the ends of the plate 63 through slots in the support 62 receiving the thumb nut 63aM as will be understood. A side guide 66 is adjustably connected to the base 53 by means of brackets 66a -adjacent the rear side of the table, on which an inclined gage 67 is slidably mounted, it being moved to any position on the guide to conform to any length of card placed upon the base 53. The inclination of the guide 67 is substantially the same as that of the ngers 64, so that when a pack of-cards is placed between it and said fingers, the lowermost card is always located slightly in front of the card neXt above. At the opposite or forward side of the base 53 a second adjustable side guide 68 is mounted, it being carried at the ends of rods 69 which pass through suitable posts Xed to base 53 each carrying a set screw 70, whereby this side guide may be adjusted to any desired position for any width of card. The rods are extended a distance in front of the base 53 and may be also used to support awork table 7l on which a quantity of plain cards may be placed for convenient access for placing on the base 53. Y

A pair of spaced'apart slots 72 are cut in and extend lengthwise of base 53, in which bars 7 3 are loosely mounted, the same being connected together by a transverse member 74 which is located under. neath the base. A lever 75 is pivotally connected to the member 74 and is likevwise pivotally mounted between its Vends on a projecting support 76 extending to the rear of and connected to the base 53. A bar 77 is pivotally and adjustably connected to the opposite end of the lever 75, a slot 78 being formed in the lever for the purpose of such adjustment, Bar 77 extends to the rear and at its rear end is Vsecured to the under side of a block 79 through which a rod 80 passes. The rod 80 extends loosely through a bracket-81 secured to the front upper cross member 4 of the main supporting frame. This rod is d-etachably connected to the block 79 as will hereafter appear and at its rear end has pivotal connection to the upper end of a lever 82, pivotally mounted between its ends on a suitabley support 82a connected t0 themain frame ofy the frame, yand at its lower. end'having a pin which projects into a cam groove 83 `formed' 1n thev face of a wheel 84 xed on.

driving shaft,; the bars .73 likewise. being. similarly reciprocated butin a direction Opf.,

posite to themovement of the bars. 7 7;. The. bars 73 are formed with dove-tail grooves in. e their uppersides. A cross bar 85 is mount-1 ed between ,the..barsf73 above the .base 53.` havingparts entering the grooves in bars 7 3 whereby fsaid cross bar may be adjusted to.

`variouspositions .withy respect to the-bars 7 A rib 86 is secured to the upper side ofthe bar 85, its edge projecting substantially the thickness of. one cardabove theupper lsur-V face of the bar. Bar 85 tapers substantially to a ypointfat its rear. ledge sothat las. it is moved to the rear. wth each revolution of the` shaft 7, it passes underneaththe packof v plain ,cards placed on the base 53the member 86 engagingv with thelowermost card in -the pack Iand. forcing it to the rollers 59,.

whereuponit isgripped by said rollers and fed onto. the belt 22, to be carried under the rollers 52..V

There is .alsomounted onthe; table 23 a guide plate 87 whichl may be adjusted transversely of thetablethrough connection with guides 88 formed in the table, being heldin any desired position by set screws 89. With narrow cards the belt33 may be removed Vand the guide plate moved as closely as nec-v essary to the belt 22V.

A bracket 90 is connected to and projects upwardly from the horizontal beam 8 a distance back 4of the front end of the card cuttingV section ofthe machine, its upper end having a lbearing91 in which one end of a `shaft'92 is rotatably mounted. The opposite end of the shaft is rotatably lmounted in a bearing carried between rigid supports 93l which are interposed between and supported bytwo spaced apart upright standards 94y located on and extending above the front horizontal beam 2. In addition, an auxiliary horizontal supporting beam 96 is located back o-f ythe beam 2, being carried art lthe upper ends of two posts 97 and 98, the lower ends of `the brackets 911 vresting partially upon the beam 96.y This additional supportingI structure is incorporated in the machine on account yof the entra weight andstrain to which the support for the mach-ine issubjected at these points. Each upright surpport94 at its lower end is formed with a forwardly projecting section 99 adapted tov carry horizontal members 100 which are at- 100 may be slidably adjusted to any desired position ywith respect to sections 99 and held therein by set screws 1.01. A knife 102 is connected, by means of screws',` t-oand" located on the ufpper side of each of 'the 75 f members 100. The rear side of each knife lies in a straight line parallel to the length of 'the machine except at one end', adjacent ends of the knives being. widened as indicated at 103.

A cam 104 is fixed to the front end of shaft: 92, in the front face of which a cam groovev 105 is cut of such formation that an-inner cam is made concentric with the shaft through an arc of substantially y300 degrees, 85.

lower end, on the under sfide of which a pair 90 of supporting members 108vr are mounted Y cach having a dovetarl rllb 108a on its: upper side shdably received-withlna dove-tailed` lgroove in Ithe under side of .member-107 whereby parts 108 may be adjusted to differ,- 95 ent positions with respect to thev member.Y-`r 107, beino held in place-by set screws 109;y Knives 110 are secured to the members1.08;` on thc under sides thereof, said knivesifo-rvv the greater portion of their-:length ends narrowing down as shown inf111 to..V leave recess- 111.EL of substantiallyv the same form asthe shoulder 103. on `each of the knives 102. rThe upper and lower knives are v105 so positioned -with respect to each other that. l knives 11.0 4pass justvbehind the knives 102 v, and any card positioned between them will, when theupiper. knivesare carried to lower f position, have parts sheared oif, leaving a 110. projecting .talb at the. points where the par-'ts 103 pass within the recesses of the upperv knives 110. The length ofa tab is-regulated H by thek adjustment of the knifel carrying members 100 and .108 on Vtheir respective car- /115 substantiallyin one-sixth Vofthe revolution of the-shaft, it being evident that during'. the remainingportion of the revolution-of *the a shaft and attached cam 104, lor 'while the. roller on member 106v drives thecirculargarv section of groove 105, the upper knives reimain Iat rest -in their upper position -v Av stripping .barv 112 is mounted directlyfin Y.

front of the upper` knives 110 and is pressed;

downwardly by'springs 113 vwhich are 'liocated aroundY y pms-carryingtltthe stripping 1302 i;

i .beingflOO 1' Vccmparatively wide, but at their; adjacent bar, the pins being slida'bly mounted. in guides 114 attached on the front face of the head 107. On the downward movement of the upper knives, as the cutting of the card takes place, the stripping bar is forced against fthe lower knives 102 or against the card which lies over said knives thereby compressing springs 113, whereby von the ulpward movement of the upper knives, the stripping bar moves downwardly to its normal position and forces the card 'which has been cut away from the upper knives, this insuring against `any tendency of the card to lift with the upward movement of the upper knives. Furthermore, the stripping bar pressing firmly against each card during the operation of cutting the same, serves to hold it firmly against movement. The movement of the head 107 is guided and steadied, there being provided forwardly projecting lugs 115, one of which is cast on each standard 94, through which rods 116 attached at their lower ends to the head 107 loosely pass, the upper ends of rod 116 being -connected by a crossbar 117 which, at its middle, is secured to the member 106. Rods 116 have sliding movement through the projections 115 serving to steady the head 107 in its movements and insuring against swinging or vibration of the head and att-ached knives.

A sprocket wheel 118 is connected to the drive shaft 7 and drives an endless sprocket chain 119 passing around a sprocket wheel 120 secured to an intermediate shaft 121 mounted between and supported at its ends in bearings on the horizontal beams 5 and 6. A second sprocket wheel 122 is connected to shaft 121, it driving an endless sprocket chain 123 which passes around a sprocket wheel 124 on shaft 92. Wheels 118 and 120 are of the same size. Likewise, wheels 122 and 124 `are of the same size so that with each revolution of the drive shaft 7, a single revolution oftheshaft 92t-akes place,and a single reciprocatory movement of the head 107 and attached upper knives occurs.

It is essential that the cards reach the cutting'knives before the downward movement of the head 107 takes place, and also that they be stopped at proper positions so the tabs shall be formed at exactly the right places with respect to the bodies of the cards. The mechanism for efecting this is shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 12, 13, and 14. A pinion 125 is secured at the forward end of the drive shaft 7 and meshes with a gear 126 attached toA a short shaft 127, on which shaft there is also removably fixed a comosite cam indicated as a whole at 128. The shaft 127 is mounted upon and projects forward from a plate 129 slidably mounted in ways-on the front face of a plate '130 attached to the frame of the machine. The plate 129 may be adjusted by movement in said ways with respect to the plate 130 and held in any desired position by set screws 131 and 1312*. The mechanism as it appears in the drawings is of such character that each tab on each card is cut substantially to occupy one-fifth of the width of a. card and the tabs are so positioned on successive cards that when located one behind another, five of such tabs make the full width of a card and all appear from in front, being in staggered relation as shown in Fig. 23. For the cutting of the cards in this manner, the relation of the pinion 125 to the gear 126 is as 1 to 5.

However, the machine is not limited to cutting this one kind of card as different relations of gears and different composite cams 128 may be used for different conditions; and the gears 126a shown in Fig. 14 in front of gear 126 has -a less number of teeth than gear 126 and may be made to mesh with a pinion fixed on shaft 7 having a greater number of teeth than the pinion 125, so that dierent ratios may be obtained. In fact, by use of proper gears such as A126a and coacting pinions similar to pinion 125, a gear ratio of 1 to 1, 1 to 2, 1 to 3, or 1 to 4, may

' be obtained as well as the 1 to 5 ratio shown,

the adjustability of the plate 129 permitting such interchange of gearing parts.

The composite cam is shown in enlarged perspective in Fig. 13, including five disks 132 each of which is provided with a single projection 133 at a part of its circumference. The projectio-ns occur in spaced apart rela.- tion on the various disks and not in the same position with respect to each disk. The disks- 132 are separated by intermediate disksl which are formed with consecutive projections and depressions 134 and 135. There are five projections and depressions in the circumference of each disk in the drawings shown, the lengths of the projections and of the depressions varying with Vdifferent disks. This composite cam may also be made of widely varying structure including a less number of disks and a less number of consecutive projections and depressions on the intermediate disk members for various kinds of work. 5

A. shaft 136 is secured to the plate 129 on Y which a plurality of levers'137 arepivotally mounted, on the lower ends of which below the shaft, rollers 138 are mounted which bear against the disks 132. There are five levers'137 in the construction shown so that each disk has a roller 138 bearing against it. The upper end of each of the levers is forked as shown at 139, the forks passing between collars or nuts 140, a pair of which are attached to each of live rods 141 extending forwardly from said levers. The rods 141 are of varying lengths and each at its forward end carries a block 142 adjustably connected thereto and held in any desired position by a set screw 143. On the under side.

of the table 23 a bar 144 is secured closely length of the bar. l Y `vthroughfeach: of the blocks, 'each ati its Ufront end lbeingequipped with a downwardlyv exf tendingarni 149,-'one ofthe blocks 142 "being pivot-ally connected to the `lower end ofeach f.

-adjacent to the rear'edgeV ofthe table,v0n'

which-barv five blocks 145 are mounted-lby Ainea-'ns of fastening blocks 146 and setscrews 147, whereby, looseningS-thefset'"screws, 'z any of the blocks 145 may :beV adjusted-to f and fixedy iat various*` positionsn along the rA vshaft 148 extends ofsaid arms. Atts rear end each shaft carv:ries a cam'150 .againstwhich a head' V151=on averticallypositioned-"rod 152 bears, allf'of rocked, thevinclin'ed'cam tace 156 of'thefca-m .150fa'stened'tosaid shaftf insconjunotion with the complementarylower faceofthe head 151' associated :therewith,-serves to .elevate .the frodsf152, `Jive .in number,A extending i through integral projections 153 formedffat ftherear: onzblocks 145', coil springs 154' being 1 i interposed -between f the projections a-nd .the .heads 151'offtherods tonorm'ally keepisaid 20' Vheads in close contactwith.- thefcarnsf1l50.

The rods 152`extend' upwardly rand"areposi l't-ioned closelyuadjacent the frearEside-of' the Etable23. Rods^152 at 4 their upper'ends are provided with stop hea'ds '155 substantially rectangular in ycross sectionwhich pass fbel tween the 'table 231and' thelowerrstationafry -f knives 102. Intheir normal'positions said heads l-ieslightly below the upper surfaces of 'the knives 102 andthe upper surfaceof the tablef23, but ifzat any time=a shaft'. 149 `is the associated rod ,1152. andi-proj ect itsiheaid 'tionsllr'of disks 5132' .under the lrollers '13.8,

place consecutively from one end to the :other afndlini the course of five 'revolutions of the drivef'shafft 7 with the constructionrasrillus- *tratedlinithei drawings, allf'of the heads 155 'willf-bewelevated.once'fas described. f1 Preferi ably;fthe' .elevation of the heads occurs f progressively` from 'the rear -toward the front. 'Any `.card Ythat is #beingl `carried by :the belts '22fand 33fis stopped when# it strikes an ele- :vated: head. f The I mechanism 1` is so designed fendi timed/that isuch\stopping loccurs imme- 'idiatelybefore the downward-*movement of ythe '.-head @carrying the cutting knivestakes p'lac'egr.and.ltl1e projections. 132'. arek of suicient length 'that- Iany head .willn be'elevated and azcard' stopped long enough'lto permit the operation. of the cuttingsmechanism: and

return of the cutting knives to` upperposition, `after which the-*elevated head -is `refturnedf to itsanormal lowerv position', the card operated upon being rcarried away by the #belt and'delivered from the machine at its rear end passingr under the rear roller 52a` was sh'ownin Fig.' 1. "It will be clear that by reasonA ofthe consecutivel elevation ofY stops .occupying different relative positions with frespe'ctfto the knives the cards areY stopped at different"relativeY positionsonithe table andfwit-h respect: tothe knives; that'the tabs which arev l :left l 2are arranged, corresponding-ly, in ldiiferent'positions `-with' :respect to :the bodies ofthecards;l and that with conlse'cutve l.elevations ofthe-heads l.155" the t'absv fwcardsl' following .onef after lthe other are .u inovedfoverone step f in. the 'wi'dth of: acard va-nd'with respect tothetab-fwhich' was `on the I:preceding:card ,1. Likewise, by reason ofthe fadjustability:oftheJblocks-145rand 142, it is possible .to change the .same for 'cards of y different widths whereby fthe #machine may -".=fbe.adjlusted so that, irrespectiveof thedi- .rinensionsof the cards, thetabs will always f-bejcut on--ithe varivous cardsfiat properposi-`-`y :tironlfso fas toy locate properly infstaggered Y 'relation l"one behind :another f on ysucceeding icards.

-:Aishortshaift :15inrojects upwardly from the plate 121. in' front ofthe Cam'128, having a member 1158 loosely. mounted. thereon from which: plate 159`r` extends :in: a downward direction. YAn .ar-m :1160- :is mountedz upon the platerand located@y adjacent the 1 forward edges .of IJthe'. disksxmaking up thel cam.. 128,

and-carriesV a fro'ller.. 160 -whichmayffbe ad- -vj usted back and'fortlr on the arm to' various positions prescribed by the limits ofthe slot l161?L in said.-;arm. The armfat 'itsupper end Vis a-lso a'djustablyf connected to 'the'fpla'te-159,l a longitudinalwslotl 162` being -made Fin the lplatev -through-'- which r `any suitable securing pin on the: arm extends. Accordingly the roller; 161.11nay :bef 'adjusted 'sowas' to `.bear :against 'any ofthe diskslocatedl'between :the

disks 132. Anf'arm "163'ris" secured: toV the i shaft 157 :fprojectingr upwardflyentherefrom and having; .nifvotall connection at i its upper end to therearwen'd of. arbar 164,.:the front Y Jfend :.ofuwh-ich; passes'. throughs yan ear -165 'formed on ai downwardly` extending arm 166 of: a bellcra-'nk lever` which: is pivotally `mounted-at 167 .onthe beam 2. dog 168`is pivotally n'i'ounted on'thelarinw166 and :adaptedfto engage in! anyV of the pluralityy ofv motches *169 formedinthe upperside and .ad- `yjacent'xtfhe fendmfubar `164. :Thefbell crank levers: alsovfincludes a` horizontal: -arnr1"70 171, 'teianinatingfinan upright bar 172, fthe upper end' ofwhich.l normally `lies slightly #below ythe'upper 'surfaceof-the table 23. p As :theffcompositercani is-rotated, roller 161! gfolf lowing one of. the iintermediatedisks-v of the e fur-:hiclrlextendsforwardly 'vfroin'ithe pivot e167 indie-connected atits end to. an: upright rod. `125i cam, alternately seats in a depression 135 and rides over a projection 134, thereby raising and lowering the bar 172. Accordingly, with a complete revolution of the cam, bar 172 is raised and lowered live times with the construction shown; that is with every elevation of a stopping head 155, a corresponding elevation of the bar 172 takes place. rlhe elevation of the bar 172 takes place before that of the stopping heads 155 and in such time as to stop each card fed into the machine, hold it for a period of time, and then release it for further travel such that the head 155 which is to later stop the card, will have had time to be elevated to stopping position. As the feeding of the cards to the carrying belt is not absolutely uniform this regulating device is essential as, otherwise, many times, cards would reach the position where they should be stopped by a head 155 before the head was raised, and either pass on without being acted upon by the cutting mechanism, or be broken or disrupted by j neath them. Also, on account of the different positions of the stops 155, it is necessary that each card be stopped and later properly released by the regulating bar 172 so that the time when any card shall reach its stopping head 155 after the head has been raised shall be exactly equal to that of any other card and its stopping head. r1`he projections and depressions 134 and 1 35 are properly formed, arranged, and timed so that this operation takes place. Furthermore with cards of varying sizes a regulating device of this character is necessary in order to properly guide and govern their travel through the cutting machine.

1t is of course understood that many different constructions of composite cams 128 may be used for varying conditions respecting' sizes of cards and number of tabs which may be cut in the width of a card. The cutting and regulating mechanism has been described with respect to a cam having five disks, each with a projection 133, between which are mounted other disks each of which has i'ive projections and ive depressions. 1t is of course obvious that a cam with a less number of disks, between which are mounted other disks having similarly a less number'of projections and depressions respectively, may be used, in which case certain of the levers 137 and the stop mechanisms attarhed thereto will bc inoperative. In such case the cards fed into the machine and cut, will be cut on the basis of two or three or four tabs for the width or for a part of the width of a card instead of five as described. To keep the levers 137 in contact with disks 132, leaf springs 173 are used, one of which bears against each lever 137. The springs are carried by a bar 174 which is adjustably mounted on a plate 129 so that the tension the elevation of a head underof the spring may be governed as desired at all times irrespective of' any adjustment which may be made of plate 129 on its support 130.

A plate 17 5 rests upon and is secured to the main supporting frame of the machine, on which a pair of spaced apart vertical supports 176 are located 4terminating in bearings 17 7 at their upper ends. A' plurality of rat-het wheels 178 are fixed to a shaft 17 9 whi;h is interposed between and mounted in the bearings, the ratchet wheels being separated by collars 17 9a. The shaft extends a distance in front of the front support 176 and has a disk 180 lixed thereon, on the front face of which a projection 181 is placed. rlhere may be one or more of these projections as desired on different disks which may be substituted for the disk shown in which one projection 181 only is disclosed. A plate 182 is slidably mounted in slots 183, cut on the inner sides of the supports 17 6, to which plate, on its under side, one end of the rearmost of a pair of pivotally connected links 184 is connected, the front end of the front link having pivotal and detachable connection to an operating lever 185 pivotally mounted at 186 to any suitable support 187 which may in turn be connected to the main frame of the machine. The lever is positioned substantially vertical, its lower end carrying a rearwardly projecting pin which enters a cam slot 189 in the face of a cam wheel 190 fixed to the drive shaft 7. The slot 189 is of such formation that with each revolution of the drive shaft, plate 182 is moved back and forth once in the slots l183, the movement being relatively' rapid in one direction and relatively slow in the other as will be evident from the formation of the slot 189 as shown in Fig. 19.

A plurality of blocks 191, one for each ratchet wheel, are secured adjacent one edge and on the upper side of the plate, each carrying a pawl 192 pivotally mounted on slides 193 which are adjustably mounted on the upper sides of the blocks 191 and adapted to be moved so as to engage with their respective ratchet wheels, being fixed in position with respect tothe blocks on which they are mounted by set screws 194. In the operation of the machine one of the pawls only is engaged with one of the ratchet wheels serving in this manner to rotate the shaft 179 step by step with the operation of the machine. T he ratchet wheels are formed with different numbers of teeth to take care of diiferent conditions with respect to the number of cards in a pack and the like. It is of course apparent that under certain conditions, that is, when the number of cards is an exact multiple of the number of tabs cut in the width of a card, the ratchet wheels need not be rotated at all and under such conditions none of the pawls 192 will be in engagement with Wheels,or the link 184 may be disconnected their respective ratchet from lever 185. A bell crank lever 195 is pivotally mounted at 196 on the plate 175,

'its rearwardly extending arm, as lshown in F ig. 16, carrying an upright pin 197 which lies closely adjacent the disk 180- and in position such that when the projection 185 comes to the pin, it bears against and turns the bell crank lever about its pivot. A link ybar 198 -is connected at its' rear end to the "other drum ofthe bell crank lever and at its front "has pivotal connection to and substantially mid-way between the ends of a vmember 199 which is pivotally connected at one of its ends, as indicated at 200, to 'the front cross beam 4 of the main supporting frame. At its opposite end, member 199 is "enlarged and provided with a curved cani 20V slot 201, through which a pin 202, fixed to a T-shaped member 203 slidably mounted on said beam 4, projects. The head ofthe memyber 203 bears against one end of a lever 204 Ipivotally mountedl between' clips 205 attached to and projecting from the block 79 previously described. A pin 206 is pivotally connected to the opposite end of the lever 204 passing through an opening in the side -offblock 79 and into a recess 207 cut in one side ofthe rod80, bei-ng normally held in suchposition by a spring 208 positioned between lever 204 and block 79. As long as the pin is in engagement with the notch 207 iii rod'80 the rod and the-block 79 move together, the end of lever 204 passing back and forth-'across the head of the member 203.

A'Butvvhen projection 181 on disk `180 bears against the pin 197 the pull given to the link bar '198 tothe rear, operates member 199 about-its pivot and forces the T-shaped member 203 against the end-of lever 204,

' compressing the spring" 208 and drawing pin f 206 from the notch 20 80 from the block 79, whereupon rod 80 may thus freeing the rod continue to reciprocate without any opera- 1 tion of the feeding' mechanism taking place,

and no cards are fed into 'the machine as long as the engagement of the projection 181 with pin 197 takes place. The travelV of the belts 22 and-33 and: the operation of the cuttingv head 107 continua-however, as well asthe rstep by lstep rotation of the disk 180.

f'Fiirtherinore, as soon as thevprojection 181 "has moved away frompm 197, the engagement of the pin 206 in-iiotch 207 again takes place and the operation ofthe feeding mechanism is resumed. In this manner breaks in f the continuous feeding of the cards to the -succeeding card of the'next pack, lapses of one, two, ormore cards so as to start the nextsucceeding-pack with the tabs properly positioned on the first card thereof. As previously stated, with the mechanism as shown in the drawings, when the number of cards in the pack is an eXact multiple of 5, any stopping of the yfeed is not necessary and the mechanism just described is *not `connected with the rest of themachine, but if cards corresponding to certain of the months, one card for eafhiday, were to lbe made,for instance, the mechanism would be needed. It may also be stated in this connection that the-first card run into the ma- 4chine and cut with its proper tab isthe last cardof a pack of guide cards,the cutting of the'tabs on the cards being'in reverse order.

SuchV cutting of the cards however, is not an may be taken fromV the receptacle properlyv located for 'entrance into' any filing receptacle in which they may be used..

In Fig. the product of the mechanism labsolutely essential ycharacteristic of my inis disclosed in perspective as ythe cards are actually used in practice toseparate matter that is filed between them. The cards209 are located one behind another, and eachI at its upper edge has an upwardly projecting tab 210 on which any index characters may be written, or printed, or detachably secured in any desiredinanner, it being noted that the tabs on the various cards are in staggered relation so that all of the tabs may be seen from in front though the bodies of the f cards are'hidden by the first card of the pack. The mechanism which I have described is directed toward the cutting and delivering of such guide cards from the mechanism so that consecutive packs of cards are made properly sorted and positioned` andV ready for insertion into any filing receptacle; that is, this mechanism feeds the cards' one at a time to the cutting section thereof,'cuts the cards with tabs at one edge in staggered re-VV lation with either 2, 3, 4, or 5 tabs, and either the full width of a card or aV part of the width of a card, and then delivers them from the machine at its rear end, the cards falling one over the other so that completepacks are produced ready for filing. The construction described is complete and operable and has had extensive practical use. Y

I have described the operation of the maiio chine with respect to cutting and printing i index card guidesand separators, thoughiit is kto beV understood Vthat the machine is adapted to cut folders and like devices having projecting tab sections, the operation. Y

being the same in all respects. Other mechanisms not differing in essential principle from the-'invention described may be made without departing froml theinvention and I, accordingly, jdo not wish to be limited to the Vspecific structurek described, but consider that my invention includes all forms of structure which come within the scope of the v'appended claims Idefining-the invention.

l. In a mechanism of the'charaoter described,a feeding mechanism" for delivering rectangular shaped cards therefrom one at a time, a carrying means on to which the cards are delivered a cutting mechanism to which thecards are carried, said cutting mechanism including means to cut each card at one edge and leave'a projecting tab at such edge,fmeans to operate the cutting mechalnism and feeding mechanism in synchronism whereby a card is delivered from the feeding mechanism for each operation of the cuting'mechanism, and a series of stops, and means to automatically operate the same in succession into the paths of movement of the successive cards to stop said cards at the cutting mechanism for operation thereon and thereby cut successive cards differently, substantially as described.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, feeding and ycutting mechanisms, meansv to operate said mechanisms in conjunction .with each other whereby cards may be delivered one vat a time from the feeding is mechanism and afterward vcut-one at a time by .the cutting mechanism, means to carry the cards from the feeding .to the cutting mechanism, and :means operating periodically witli the operation of the machine to stop the successive cards in different relative positions with respect to the cutting mechanism to thereby cut the consecutive cards dierently, substantially as described.

3. In combination, periodically operating lfeeding and cutting mechanisms, means to operate said mechanisms in conjunction with each other whereby cards may be delivered one at a time from the feeding mechanism and afterward cut one at a time by the cutting mechanism, continuously operating means 'to carry the cards from the feeding mechanism to the cutting mechanism, knives on the cutting mechanism for cutting portions away from each card at one edge and leaving a projecting tab, and means to stop the' cards during the operation thereon of the cutting knives vwith the carrying means continuously in operation, substantially as described. f

4. In combination, feeding :and cutting mechanisms, means to operate said mechanisms in conjunction with each other to thereby deliver cards one at a time from the feeding mechanism and afterward cut them by vthe cutting mechanism, coacting knives included in the cutting mechanism for cutting the cards at one edge to have a projecting tab on each card, means to stop successive cards at different positions with respect to the cutting mechanism to thereby locate the tabs on successive cards in diEerent positions with respect to the bodies of the cards, and means to carry the cards from the feeding to the cutting mechanism.

5. In combination, feeding and cutting mechanisms, means to operate said mechanisms in conjunction witll each other to deliver cards one at a time from the feeding mechanism, and afterward out them one at a time by the cutting mechanism, means to carry the cards from the feeding mechanism,

coacting knives included in the cutting mechanism for cutting the cards at one edge to leave a projecting tab on each card, a pluralit of stops located in alinement one after anot er adjacent the cutting mechanism, and

'means to operate the stops automatically and periodically with the operation of the machine and in lsuccession into the path of movement of the cards to stop them during operation of the cutting mechanism.

6. In combination, feeding Vand cutting mechanisms, means to operate said mechanisms in conjunction with each other to deliver cards one at a time from the feeding mechanism, and afterward cut them one at a time by the cutting mechanism, means to carry the cards from the feeding to the cutting mechanisms, coacting knives included in the cutting mechanism for cuttingv the cards at one edge to leave a projecting tab on each card, a plurality of stops located one behind the other and having their upper ends normally positioned below the path of movement of the cards, means for elevating the stops one at a time immediately before the operation of theV cutting mechanism, a regulating stop in front of the plurality of stops, and means'to elevate said regulating stop into the path of movement of the cards to stop each card momentarily before it comes to the cutting mechanism, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a feeding mechanism having means to deliver cards one at a time therefrom, means to operate said mechanism04 a conveying device on to which the cards are delivered, a cutting mechanism including a stationary lower knife over which the cards are carried periodically operable in synchronism with the operation of the feeding and cutting mechanisms, a plurality of stop devices operable in succession to stop each card with one edge of the card over said knife and with successive cards in different relative positions with respect to said lower knife, an upper relatively movable knife loioo iio

cated above the lower knife, and means t0 substantially .as described. f

move said .upperf' knife deWnWai-'dly after,v ,the card :has been stopped, said knives. beino', formed to cut portions frein, the card and leave a projectingtab atone edge thereof, substantially as described.

8. In combination, a feeding mechanism;

having means to deliver cards oneat. ajtime therefrom,means to operate said mechanism, a conveying device to .whichSaidbardsfaie delivered, a cutting,mechanismincluding a stationary lowerlknife over which the cards are'carried, a,plurality of movablestops-lof cated 'back `of lsaid knife, means to lelevate the; stopssuceessively .into vthe path' of movement of 'the` cards, to fstop., each card f in position.

abovesaidfknxifevvith successive cards in dif.-` ferentv relative-,positions with respect to thez knife,'anfuppeiX relatively y movable knifel lof, cated above tl,1 elovv,er kn-ife and means fto reciprocate .,the, uppif. knife immediatelyafter*- a .eaid ihas been stopped, Lsubsta,ntiallyl as descigibed.

9. In. combination, afeeding mechanismV having means to deliver cardsone at atime therefrom, means .to operatey said ymechanism, a, conveying .devicefto which; the .cards are delivered, a cuttingmeehanism includ.

ing a .stationary lowerknife ovenwhiclr thei cards; are carried, va` l pluralityy of i movablestops loeatedfback of said knife, means to elevateP the stops. successively into; the path of .movemena of ,Y the. `cards, one .stopbeing elevated.- ,for eaeh; eardj'delivered Ybythe feed.'-

ing. mechan isinl te stop l. each card l in position;

above lthe knife {with} successive cards in .dif-l ferent relative positions With respectyto the knife, a vertically movabley head, an upper knife attached thereto a.. shaft, Ameans to operatetheshafte a cam on .the shaft and connections .'betvveen; said caman;d heady foi` movingfiudownand upv withy each revolue tion-fof -fthe l shaft? to thereby out. the ,card betvveentheknives, substantially as described.v

1,0.; In: combination, a. feeding, mechanism; includingta support, afbase secured tlieretoy. la feeding ,lying riminediately abovethe A base, means to. operate the barl back and forth; over ther base,v shaftsnnounted onen above the other at one end-ofthe base,

means to ,rotate ,the shafts, a conveying means` baclgof sadfshafts, meanstopperate said'.l

conveying means a .Gritti-ng. mechanism .to Which .the .Conveying means leads,` and ,means to operate the cutting means. once :with eaehl back and forth movementkof they feeding bar,

l1., In combination, a .feeding \meehanism includinga support, a base secured thereto,

Side guides adj ii stablyl secured .to the ibase,

an inclinedcross member at the;v rear end of` and..1supporteda distance abovev the base,

shafts ,having contacting .rollers vthereon positioned.back. ofthe base, means to continu-l ously operate .theshafts, a bar located `transversely above the base, means to operate said a bar pivotally` mounted-.to andextending;-`

transversely linden fthe f base,f means to move` said .'bar back and forth aboutfitspi'vot; bars'. seated r in f the, r slots and i connected f with L the;I

pivetallyV mounted bar, a..,baif"adjustablyf'sef..

cured .-to said Ibarsl abone; Eand.tran-sversely of w the base, shafts flooatfede one; abovezthee zo-ther;

at the, .rear end@ off'theifbase, a coirveyingifV means -back.- of.- the l shafts,` :means tocontiinf uouslyr openate; thei conveying; means; mea-ns: to UOntinliQu-Slyrotate; the-shafts; xfa 1, cutting.;A

mechanismto v.vvhich-.rthe con-veyin'gymec'has nism leads, saidrmeehanismf including co,l operating; .knives f and .meansfftoA bring said`v knives into; operative. relation, oneefavith "eachl movement of the-first 'fmentionedbar baek and forth about fits. pivota- 13. In combination, .ai ifeedingameehanism@ including..'a-siipport; a .lbasefseeuned thereto; side guidesv adjustablyf secured; .to the base,

.v an inclined crossmembeniat the rear endfoffif and suppontedjfa, distance.nabovez the baseniae finger. adjustablymountedonithe cnossfmeim bers gage-:havingfa rear. inclined. face. slideablyV mountedgoni one ofitheV sidefguides, shafts having.y contaotiingsrollers:thereern pov-` sitionedfrback; of fthegbasef,-means1to= kcontinue ously operate said shafts, transversely-1A above. the base, ,.means'f, -toz4 foperfatea.. .the i fban s. back. and4 forth@ over ,thefbase,f,means :fon ad.-:-l

justing .the lbar tomove over clifferenu sec1-r tions of the l:basen-a conv,ey-i'ngmeanst backfof, f

the #feeding mechanismfmeansf to continueA ously operate 1 the conveying means, a ,cuteA llOlr ting ymechanisnitoA Whichi the.' conveying means leads,J and,4 1 means` to aoper'at'e-z, said mechanism once Withi everyx fb'ackt-and forth/a;

stantially.l as described'.

las In- 1combination,. a *.siipporting fr'amee` a tablenoarried. by:r said frame,. an endless belt @passing lengthwisel overt-.landvnnder Ithe table-insana to feed; cards .one aitfa timelfon to the. belt,= a relatively -vstationary?'knife flo cated adjacent oneiedgeI of1theilbelt, axhead:r positioned above said stationaryqf. knif'efi a second knife lsecured i to the (head, meanstto raise and lower the head in synchroniismfff- With thef feeding means; a bare positionedon;

the -head adapted to strike raga-inst-theA star-1- tionary knives ywhen .thefIhead-ifis lowered',A

and meansyieldingly securinge-thes bary ite'l l the head.. s

15. In combination, a supporting frame,

a drive shaft mounted thereon, av table carried by the frame, a feeding mechanism positioned at the frontend of the table having means to deliver cards one at atime therefrom, an endless belft passing lengthwise over and under the table receiving the cards from said feeding mechanism, means to drive said belt fromthe drive shaft, means to operate the feedingnmechanism fro-m the drive shaft, a cutting l,mechanism including stationary lower knives and movable upper knives in front of which the belt passes, and means to raise and lower the upper knives driven by the drive shaft, substantially as described.

16. In combination, a supporting frame, a drive shaft mounted thereon, a table carried by the frame, a feeding mechanism positioned at the front end of the frame, means for operating the feeding mechanism from the drive shaft to thereby deliver one card therefrom with each revolution of the shaft, an endless belt passing lengthwise over and yunder the tableto which the cards are delivered, means for driving said belt contmuously from the drlve shaft, a cutting mechanismY including stationary lower knives and movable upper knives in frontof which the belt passes, means to lower and raise the upper knives once with each revolution of the drive shaft, and stop mechanism operated by the drive shaft for momentarily stopping the cards in position for action thereon by the cutting mechanism, substantially as described.

17, In combination, a supporting frame, a drive shaft mounted thereon, a table carried in front of the frame, a feeding mechanism positioned at the front end of the frame, means for operating the feeding mechanism from theV drive shaft to deliver one card with each revolution of the shaft, an endless belt passing lengthwise over and under the table receiving the cards, means for continuously driving the belt from the drive shaft, yielding devices for forcing the cards into contact engagement with the belt, a cutting mechanism located adjacent the belt, means for operating the cutting mechanism once with each revolution of the drive shaft, a plurality of movable stops normally located back of and slightly below the upper surface of the table, and means to elevate one of said stops with each revolution of the drive shaft and to successively elevate all of the stops with successive revolutions of said shaft to stop the cards in position for operation thereon by the cutting mechanism. v

18. In combination, a supporting frame, a drive shaft mounted thereon, a table supported in front of the frame, a feeding mechanism located at the front end of the frame, means for operating the feeding mechanism from the drive shaft to deliver one card with each revolution of the shaft,

an endless belt passing lengthwise over and i Y under the table and receiving the cards from the feeding mechanism, means for continu-,1

ously driving thebelt from the drive shaft, yielding devicesforvforcing the cards into contact `engagement with the belt, a cutting mechanism located adjacent the belt, means fV for operating the cutting mechanism `once,

with each revolution vof the drive shaft, a

plurality of movablestops normally located stops with each revolution of the drive shaft and to successively elevate all of the stops with successive revolutions of said shaft to stop and hold the cards in position for operation thereon by the cutting mechanism, a regulating stop located in front of said plurality of stops, and means for elevating the regulating stop with each revolution of the drive shaft.

19. In combination, a supporting frame, a table supported above and in front of th'e frame, a drive shaft on the frame, an endless belt passing lengthwise over and under the table, means to continuously drive the belt from the drive shaft, a feeding mechanism located at the front end ofthe table, means to operate said feeding mechanism from the drive shaft to deliver cards one at a time to the belt, one card being delivered with each revolution of the shaft, a cutting mechanism supported by the frame to which the cards are carried by the belt, means for operating the cutting mechanism once with each revolution of the drive shaft, a pluralitv kof stops located one behind the other back of the table and normally positioned below the upper surface of the table, a cam having a plurality of spaced apart disks mounted on the frame, a projection on each disk, means interposed between the disks and stops to elevate a stop when a projection on a disk moves to operate said means, and means to drive the cam.

20. In combination, a supporting frame, a table thereon, an endless belt passing lengthwise over and under the table adapted to carry cards or like articles thereon, va periodically operated cutting mechanism adjacent the belt, means to operate the cutting mechanism, a plurality of stops back of and normally below the table located adjacent the cutting mechanism, and means to automatically elevate the stops in succession into the pafth of movement of the successive cards to stop each card for operation thereon by the cutting mechanism, successive cards being stopped at different positions, substantially as described.

21. In combination, a table, a conveying mechanism thereon, a feeding mechanism for feeding cards one at a time to the conveying mechanism, a cutting mechanism for cutting the cards located adjacent the conveying :sok 

